Objective: The current study explores non-linear effects of absolute risk and effects of comparative risk information about skin cancer on individuals' safety ratings, affective responses and behavioral intentions. Method: An experimental survey was conducted among college students (N = 563) to test the effects of absolute and comparative risk…

This paper considers two studies that address negative affective states and moral reasoning while taking the Defining Issues Tests (DIT, DIT2). Both studies confirmed earlier findings that the DIT dilemma, 'Heinz and the Drug,' and the DIT2 dilemma, 'Famine,' are related to increased anger and sadness and decreased moral reasoning. Similar…

Participants first became familiar with an image showing moderate symptoms of the skin cancer melanoma. In a generalization test, they indicated whether images showing more and less pronounced symptoms were "like the original." Some groups (cancer context) were told that the images depicted melanoma and that the disease is deadly unless…